Your final research paper assignment is to write 8 pages on any topic in the field of conflict resolution. Your research paper could discuss a topic that we’ve covered this semester that you’d like to delve into more deeply (e.g
., the effect of gender on negotiation performance, the inefficiencies of civil litigation, etc.) or a topic that we haven’t discussed this semester (e.g., recent U.S. Supreme Court cases related to arbitration). The purpose of this assignment is for you to find a topic that you’re genuinely interested in learning more about, and then locating source materials – books, articles, newspaper pieces, etc. – so that you can truly gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Papers must be Times, size 12, normal (1’’) margins. Do not submit papers with typos, emoticons, or incorrect grammar. Write a paper that’s interesting and engaging – that teaches the reader something about dispute resolution. As a reminder, this counts for 30% of your final grade.
You will be evaluated based on the depth of your research; the quality of your writing and presentation; and your mastery of the topic. Include a bibliography showing what you have read and cited. Quote directly from sources, where appropriate. See if you can identify the most important thinkers/scholars/writers in your particular area. Generally speaking, almost any area has four or five academic “leaders” who have written extensively on the subject.
What is a “good topic”? You’ll know it when you see it. An interesting research topic might be, for example, “The Use of Arbitration in Baseball.” A “bad topic” is often a subject that is either too broad (e.g., “Negotiation”) or too narrow (e.g., “The Negotiation of the Lease Between Party A and Party B in November 1999”). You want to ensure that there will be enough scholarly material to draw upon. Feel free to ask me whether your topic sounds like a “good” one.
Some potential resources for topics:
– Our reading! Look at the footnotes, citations, and arguments of the authors. – The Baruch College Library.
– Harvard’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Research Page: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=310591&p=2078474
– The American Bar Association Journal’s dispute resolution topic page:
https://www.abajournal.com/topic/alternative+dispute+resolution
